MARDI GRAS QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

• How does Mardi Gras benefit the New Orleans economy?
• How is the City government involved?
• Are Carnival and Mardi Gras the same thing?
• Why does Mardi Gras fall on different dates each year?
• When was the first Mardi Gras?
• What is the significance of the Mardi Gras colors, and where did they come from?
• Why are masks worn?
• How is a king chosen?
• What are Mardi Gras Balls?
• How long have "throws" been around?
• Can I bring my kids to Mardi Gras?
• Is there an "Official" Mardi Gras?
• How can I find out what this year's Mardi Gras theme will be?
• How much does it cost to go to Mardi Gras?
• Who organizes and pays for Mardi Gras?
• Which site was responsible for the first Mardi Gras LIVE on the internet?
• Do I need to buy Mardi Gras beads and merchandise before my visit?
• What is the weather usually like during Mardi Gras? What should I pack?
• I only have limited time. what is the prime time to visit during Mardi Gras?

Q: How does Mardi Gras benefit the New Orleans economy?
A: Economic impact reports indicate that Mardi Gras generates over $1 billion in annual spending.

Q: How is the City government involved?
A: City governments are not involved in coordinating Mardi Gras parades.  The governments issue parade permits, but that is the extent of their involvement.  Krewes independently schedule and coordinate their own parades.

Q: Are Carnival and Mardi Gras the same thing?
A: Don't confuse Carnival and Mardi Gras! Carnival refers to the period of feasting and fun which always begins on January 6th, The Feast of the Epiphany.  Mardi Gras refers to Fat Tuesday, the final day of revelry before Ash Wednesday, when Lent begins.

Q: Why does Mardi Gras fall on different dates each year?
A: The date of Mardi Gras changes every year because it's connected to Easter, which can fall on any Sunday between March 23 and April 25.  Mardi Gras is scheduled to be 47 days before Easter.

Q: When was the first Mardi Gras?
A: The first Mardi Gras parade was held in New Orleans on February 24, 1857 by the Krewe of Comus.  They began the tradition of presenting a parade with floats and following it with a ball for the krewe and their guests.

Q: What is the significance of the Mardi Gras colors, and where did they come from?
A: Rex, the King of Carnival, selected the Mardi Gras colors and assigned meaning to them in 1892.  Purple stands for justice, green for faith, and gold for power. 

Q: Why are masks worn?
A: By law, float riders must always have a mask on.  On Fat Tuesday, masking is legal for everyone else, and the elaborate masks that some wear add to the fun.

Q: How is a king chosen?
A: The method of selecting a king varies from krewe to krewe.  Some krewes hold random drawings, while others invite a celebrity guest to be their king. 

Rex, the King of Carnival, is chosen by the School of Design, who sponsors the Rex parade. His identity is revealed the day before the parade.

Q: What are Mardi Gras Balls?
A: Balls are private affairs thrown by the krewes for members and invited guests and require formal dress (tuxedos and ball gowns.)  They are typically held in the Municipal Auditorium or in hotel ballrooms.  Some of the larger krewes, however, have started to hold bigger extravaganzas at the Convention Center and the Superdome. 

Q: How long have "throws" been around?
A: The tradition of float riders throwing trinkets to the crowds began in the 1870s, and still continues today.  Typical throws include beads, cups, doubloons, and stuffed animal. 

Q: Can I bring my kids to Mardi Gras?
A: By all means, yes! Mardi Gras is a family celebration. Those of us who grew up in New Orleans felt guilty once our children had grown and we continued going to every parade ... we used to use "taking the children" as our excuse!

Bring big bags (even those large garbage bags!) to hold all of the stuff they will catch .. including toys, stuffed animals, beads and more.

The only place you should avoid with kids is the French Quarter (where no parades pass anyway), although we recommend seeing the parade near its beginnings on St. Charles Avenue near Napoleon. (Parades can last until 11:00 pm near the end of the route.) The garden district area of St. Charles is a family area where you will see many families staking out their positions throughout the season, having picnics, playing ball, and having fun under the beautiful oak trees! You don't have to worry about the streetcars, as they stop running in this area during Mardi Gras.

You may also want to consider taking your kids to the parades in the suburban areas such as Metairie, only 10 minutes away from New Orleans. Metairie's Caesar parade, the Saturday before Mardi Gras weekend, is the parade Disneyworld features on Mardi Gras day -- the kids would love it!

Q: Is there an "Official" Mardi Gras?

A: No!! Mardi Gras is a holiday, just like Christmas and Easter. It belongs to everyone! Do not believe the claims of businesses who offer "official" Mardi Gras merchandise or an "official" Mardi Gras" web site. Using the term is just a way for them to sell their products or services to those who do not know.

Products or web sites are not licensed by the government for Mardi Gras .. each individual parade krewe is responsible for all of its merchandise. (In some parts of the country, official organizations control their Mardi Gras celebration; but this is not true in New Orleans.)

Q: How can I find out what this year's Mardi Gras theme will be?

A: There is no official Mardi Gras theme since there is no official Mardi Gras. However, each parade krewe decides upon its own theme each year which can be kept secret until the parade. Their costumes, floats, some of their throws, and their "official" Mardi Gras poster (if they have one) reflect this theme. After 911, patriotic themes were popular.

Most of the krewes are named after figures from Greek, Roman, and Egyptian mythology; some are named after the neighborhood where they parade.

Q: How much does it cost to go to Mardi Gras?
A: It's free! Not only that, but you'll come back home with bags of Mardi Gras beads and throws. That's why we call it the "Greatest Free Show on Earth!"

Q: Who organizes and pays for Mardi Gras?
A: Mardi Gras parade krewes are private non-profit organizations whose members get together year round to plan their parade's theme, costumes, and unique throws. Each Carnival Club, as they are known, is individually funded by its members. They support their krewe through dues, sales of krewe-related merchandise to their members, and fundraising. Mardi Gras parade krewes may not have corporate sponsors.

The city of New Orleans is not involved in coordinating Mardi Gras parades -- their only involvement is to issue parade permits to each individual Mardi Gras krewe who schedules and coordinates their own parades.

Q: Which site was responsible for the first Mardi Gras LIVE on the internet?

A: MardiGrasNewOrleans.com organized and presented the first live Mardi Gras in 1995 and continued sharing this with our visitors for several years with companies such as Microsoft and REAL Media. The live events showcased on MardiGrasNewOrleans.com have been covered in the New York Times, Chicago Tribune, TImes PIcayune, Morning Advocate, San Diego Union Tribune, Texas Monthly, and the Discovery Channel among others .. and include radio interviews with local and British stations.

The first year, we presented the Orpheuscapade ... and soon offered live chats with celebrities, interviews with costumed revelers on the streets, and video from atop hotels in our garden district. (Our ISP the first year shared our live feed with the other Mardi Gras site they hosted the first year; this site now claims to have presented the first live event.)

Q: Do I need to buy Mardi Gras beads and merchandise before my visit?
A: Unless you are going to be a rider on a float, no. If you plan to watch the parades during Mardi Gras, you'll have so much you won't be able to carry it all! However, if you would like to buy anything Mardi Gras related before or after your visit, we recommend going straight to the company who has sold the product to the parade krewes for over 25 years.

Q: What is the weather usually like during Mardi Gras? What should I pack?

The weather during Mardi Gras varies from very cold to very warm, almost hot. Since you will be spending long days outside, pack comfortable shoes and clothes that can get somewhat dirty. It’s also a good idea to layer your clothes since a chilly morning may turn into a warm afternoon. Of course, if the weather predicts rain, make sure you don’t forget your raincoat!

Q: I only have limited time. what is the prime time to visit during Mardi Gras?

The weekend before Fat Tuesday is the prime time to visit New Orleans for Mardi Gras. This is the weekend when Bacchus and Endymion, two of the biggest parades of the season, roll down the streets of New Orleans. The streets are packed all day Saturday and Sunday with parade watchers. If you can stay longer than a weekend, Monday (Lundi Gras) and Fat Tuesday are also great days to experience Mardi Gras. Orpheus, another big parade, rolls on Monday night, and the Zulu Lundi Gras festival goes on all day. On Fat Tuesday, walking around the French Quarter and seeing all of the costumes and masks is a unique and thrilling experience.